The public will have an opportunity to learn more about the Strong Towns initiative, which Greencastle City Councilman Vincent Aguirre has been a champion of. 

The initiative was created in the late 2000s as a platform to challenge and provide alternatives to traditional urban planning practices. The meeting will be held April 7 at 1 p.m. on the second floor of Breadworks. 

"As we gather for the first time, our goal is not only to get to know each other, but also to collectively determine our priorities. This meeting is a foundational step towards uniting our efforts to create resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Whether you're deeply involved in urban planning, passionate about creating vibrant neighborhoods or simply interested in making your town a better place, your voice and priorities matter," Aguirre told The Putnam County Post. 

Aguirre said there are plenty of reasons to attend. Those reasons include: building community connections, collaborative goal setting, empowerment through collective action and laying the groundwork for impactful change. Aguirre said Strong Towns advocates against the expansion of highways,  as well as transparency in local accounting, incremental housing, safe and productive streets and the ending of parking mandates.  

"We push for greater transparency in local government accounting to reveal the true costs of suburban development. We support diverse housing options to meet community needs, advocating for development that integrates seamlessly with existing neighborhoods. We prioritize transforming streets into safe, welcoming spaces that promote human interaction and economic vitality. We challenge the norms that favor extensive car parking, promoting instead the efficient use of land for community development," Aguirre said. 

He said the meeting is an opportunity to be part of a "community driven effort to envision and enact a brighter future for our town."

"Whether your interest lies in one of these pillars or you have other ideas for improving our community, your participation is invaluable. We look forward to meeting you and discovering our shared path forward. Let's lay the foundation for a Strong Town, together," Aguirre said. 

For more information, visit www.strongtowns.org or search Greencastle Strong Towns on Facebook.